Apparatus for molding plastic covers for containers

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for molding plastic covers for containers wherein the molding apparatus includes a stationary die section, including a fixed die member having a molding surface shaped to form a portion for the mold corresponding to the outer surface of the side of the cover, a movable die section including a plurality of movable die members, at least one of the movable die members being slidingly engaged within said stationary die member, a means for moving the plurality of movable die members in an axial direction between the closed and open positions of the molding apparatus, and a means for controlling the disengagement of the individual die members from the molded plastic cover whereby the fixed die member is first disengaged prior to the plurality of movable die members being sequentially disengaged from the cover. The plastic cover is adapted to cover an open mouthed container which has a circumferentially extending projection on its outer wall in the region of the top edge thereof, wherein the cover has an inverted U-shaped rim in the form of a pair of upstanding circumferential sidewalls and a depressed central portion, the inner sidewall of the cover having a circumferential extending bulged portion and an inwardly extending gripping flap, the inner surface of the outer sidewall of the cover having a circumferential recess shaped to engage the projection on the container and to form a circumferential weakening line which subdivides the cover into a first cover member reusable as a cover and a second cover member being a tear-off portion, the outer surface of the outer sidewall being substantially straight line in cross-section and preferably tapered from top to bottom.

United States Patent Ruch [ Oct. 28, 1975 APPARATUS FOR MOLDING PLASTICCOVERS FOR CONTAINERS [75] Inventor: Heinz Ruch, Basel, Switzerland [73]Assignee: Albert Obrist & Co., Reinach,

Switzerland [22] Filed: Apr. 9, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 349,256

[52] US. Cl. 425/438; 425/DIG. 58;

425/DIG. 227; 425/812; 249/66 R [51] Int. Cl. B29F 1/14 [58] Field ofSearch 425/DIG. 58, 441, 438, 425/812, DIG. 227, DIG. 51; 249/66 [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,266,831 12/1941 Tegarty 425/812X 2,875,472 3/1959 Marcus 425/DIG. 58 2,975,481 3/1961 Kauffman 425/812X 3,196,483 7/1965 Eyles 425/D1G. 51 3,584,111 6/1971 Allison....425/438 X 3,737,277 6/1973 Uhlig 425/438 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Pearl,Effective Mold Design, Apr. 1958, Modern Plastics, pp. 11l-l 15.

Primary ExaminerFrancis S. Husar Assistant Examiner-David S. SafranAttorney, Agent, or F irm-Edward J Brenner [57] ABSTRACT An apparatusand method for molding plastic covers for containers wherein the moldingapparatus includes a stationary die section, including a fixed diemember having a molding surface shaped to form a portion for the moldcorresponding to the outer surface of the side of the cover, a movable:die section including a plurality of movable die members, at least oneof the movable die members being slidingly engaged within saidstationary die member, a means for moving the plurality of movable diemembers in an axial direction between the closed and open positions ofthe molding apparatus, and a means for controlling the disengagement ofthe individual die members from the molded plastic cover whereby thefixed die member is first disengaged prior to the plurality of movabledie members being sequentially disengaged from the cover. The plasticcover is adapted to cover an open mouthed container which has acircumferentially extending projection on its outer wall in the regionof the top edge thereof, wherein the cover has an inverted U-shaped rimin the form of a pair of upstanding circumferential sidewalls and adepressed central portion, the inner sidewall of the cover having acircumferential extending bulged portion and an inwardly extendinggripping flap, the inner surface of the outer sidewall of the coverhaving a circumferential recess shaped to engage the projection on thecontainer and to form a circumferential weakening line which subdividesthe cover into a first cover member reusable as a cover and a secondcover member being a tear-off portion, the outer surface of the outersidewall being substantially straight line in cross-section andpreferably tapered from top to bottom.

12 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 92 AWN 4 CL- 9e T 19 4 e use] ea 82 A 1 asUS. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet3 of6 3,915,613

' LZZ Sheet 4 of6 3,915,613

U.S. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 FIG 6 M 1 iii kw m2M///// M% M M MN m a k m W4% n W US. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet 5 of 6 7 O J L 7 APPARATUS FORMOLDING PLASTIC COVERS FOR CONTAINERS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONSThe present application relates to Disclosure Document No. 01538 filedon Dec. 12, 1972.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The presentinvention relates to an apparatus and method for molding plasticarticles and more particularly relates to an apparatus and method formolding plastic covers for containers and to the plastic covers soproduced.

2. Description of the Prior Art In my copending patent application Ser.No. 310,322, filed on Dec. 4, 1972, now US. Pat. No. 3,753,511 there isdisclosed a container and enclosure or cover therefor which has a numberof distinct advantages. For example, with this particular container andcover the use of separate sealing means such as sealing foils forobtaining an airtight seal is not required. Also, with a relativelysmall total height of the cover member, and considerable productiontolerances, a vigorous clamping and pressure effect can be realized sothat a sealing action may be obtained which suffices for all practicalrequirements. This is particularly important to withstand any roughhandling, such as may occur during transportation or manipulation of thecontainers, for example, in self-service stores.

The container and enclosure or cover therefor disclosed in Ser. No.310,322 comprises an open-top or open-mouthed container having a topwall provided with a circumferential shoulder close to the upper end ofthe wall and a push-in cover member having a circumferential raised rimportion provided with a circumferential skirt member dependingexternally over the container wall. The skirt member has its inner wallsurface provided with a projection which engages underneath the shoulderon the container wall when the cover member is pushed over the open topof the container. A circumferential notch on the outer side of the skirtmember provides a weakening line making it possible to tear off a lowerportion of the skirt member including the projection when the containeris to be opened but leaving the remaining cover member intact to bereusable for closing the container. The cover has a bulged portion onthe outer surface of the inner wall, and there is a shaped contoured fitbetween the container and the cover.

While the aforementioned cover and container have great advantages forpackaging various materials, the method of manufacturing the cover inparticular has been relatively speaking, complicated and expensive. Thishas been due particularly to the fact that it was not possible to use asimplified die tool design in which the various elements could be movedin an axial direction only. More particularly, in the previous design,at least one die which was split radially had to be opened in a radialdirection. This resulted in a number of disadvantages. The surfaceswhich sealed, moved against each other causing wear and a decrease ofsealing ability with the result that the dies subject to radial openingmovement had to be replaced more frequently than dies performing axialmovement only. Also, due to the split in the radial direction,additional seams appeared on the molded product. Furthermore, inaddition to the control elements employed with the axial-moving dies,special and different control elements had to be employed forcontrolling the radially opening dies.

There are, of course, many different techniques known for moldingvarious products, including plastic materials. For example, U.S. Pat.Nos. 3,193,884, 3,319,703, 3,344,942, 3,555,606, 3,584,356 and 3,687,591are exemplary of such molding apparatus. However, the problem that theart faced prior to the present invention was how to design a containerand cover therefor that had the aforementioned advantages while at thesame time being able to manufacture the product, and particularly thecover, in a simple and inexpensive manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is concerned with anapparatus and method for molding a plastic cover for an openmouthedcontainer wherein the apparatus has a closed position for molding and anopened position for removing the molded plastic cover. This inventionprovides for the injection molding of plastic articles by the use of amold formed from a cavity that has stationary sidewalls and a movablebottom together with a movable core. From the closed position, the moldis opened by having the cavity bottom and movable core move togetheraxially to first disengage the molded article from the surfaces of thestationary sidewalls. Further axial movement separates the remainingmold members to release the molded article. The axial motion is thenreversed in direction to return the apparatus to its closed moldposition. For the production of molded plastic covers of the invention,the movable cavity bottom may have extensions so that it is in effect acore with respect to the stationary outer sidewalls of the cavity and isa cavity with respect to the movable elements forming the core mold. Theapparatus comprises a stationary die section including means forinjecting plastic into the mold for the plastic cover and a first diemember having a molding surface shaped to form a portion of the moldcorresponding to the outer surface of the outer sidewall of the cover, amovable die section including a plurality of die members, at least oneof said plurality being slidingly engaged in said first die member, eachof the plurality of die members being movable in an axial direction inthe molding apparatus with respect to the longitudinal axis of thecover, means for moving the plurality of movable die members in an axialdirection between the open and closed positions of the molding apparatusand means for controlling the disengagement of the individual diemembers from the molded plastic cover whereby the first die member isdisengaged initially from the plastic cover prior to the plurality ofmovable die members being disengaged sequentially from the plasticcover.

The present invention also is concerned with a molded plastic cover foran open-mouthed container having a circumferential extending projectionon its outer wall in the region of the top edge thereof wherein thecover has an inward U-shaped rim in the form of a pair of upstandingcircumferential sidewalls and a depressed central portion and whereinthe inner sidewall of the cover has a circumferential outwardlyextending bulged portion and inwardly extending gripping flap and theouter sidewall of the cover has a circumferential recess shaped toengage the projection of the container and to form a circumferentialweakening line which divides the cover into a first cover memberreusable as a cover and a second cover member being a tear-off portion,the outer surface of the outer sidewall being substantially straightline in cross-section and preferably being tapered inward from top tobottom.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container andcover therefor which can be manufactured simply and inexpensively andyet will provide an effectively tight seal between the container and thecover.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a moldedplastic cover which can be manufactured simply and inexpensively and isadapted to provide a tight seal on a container.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for manufacturing simply and inexpensively a moldedplastic cover adapted to provide an effectively tight fit with acontainer designed therefor.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a coverfor a container constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the molded plastic cover of thepresent invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the moldedplastic cover of the present invention taken along the line IIIIII ofFIG. 1 and of a portion of a container to which it is attached;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view in cross-section of a preferred embodiment ofthe molding apparatus of the present invention shown in its closedposition;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view in cross-section of the molding apparatus ofFIG. 4 shown in a first partially opened position;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view in cross-section of the molding apparatus ofFIG. 4 shown in a second partially opened position;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view in cross-section of the molding apparatus ofFIG. 4 shown in a third partially opened position; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing in cross-section of the molding apparatusof FIG. 4 shown in its fully opened position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate anopened-mouthed container 6 having a circumferential extending projection8 on its outer wall and a cover 10 therefor constructed in accordancewith the present invention. The cover 10 includes an inverted U-shapedrim section 12 including a pair of upstanding circumferential sidewalls,namely, inner sidewall 14 and outer sidewall 16 which has acircumferential weakening line 18 which subdivides the cover 10 into afirst cover member 20 reusable as a cover and a second cover member 22being a tear-off portion. The inner sidewall 14 has a circumferentialoutwardly extending bulged portion 24 and an inwardly extending grippingflap 26.

The cover 10 includes a depressed central portion 28.

The cover 10 also includes a pull tab 30 which is disposed in the sameplane as outer sidewall 16. The pull tab 30 may be formed as aperforated section, the perforations being roughly rectangular in formand separated by a plurality of ribs 32 disposed in a planeperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cover 10. The outersidewall 16 of cover 10 includes a circumferential recess shaped to formthe weakening line 18 and to engage the projection 8 of the container 6for locking cover 10 to the container 6. The outer wall surface of outersidewall 16 is substantially straight line in crosssection andpreferably tapered slightly inwardly from top to bottom. The U-shapedrim section 12 includes a yoke 36 connecting together the inner sidewall14 and outer sidewall 16; it also includes a circumferential upper rim38 connected to yoke member 36. The cover 10 is constructed of a plasticmaterial and is designed to be relatively flexible and resilient instructure. The container 6 is also preferably constructed of plastic andis designed to be relatively stiff in structure.

FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 illustrate a molding apparatus 40 constructed inaccordance with the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates moldingapparatus 40 in its closed position; FIG. 8 illustrates moldingapparatus 40 in its opened position and FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustratemolding apparatus 40 in various partially opened positions. Moldingapparatus 40 includes a stationary die section 42 and a movable diesection, shown generally by reference numeral 44, which is adapted tomove axially with respect to the longitudinal axis 46 of the cover 10and molding apparatus 40. The stationary section 42 of molding apparatus40 includes a mounting plate 48 and an injection nozzle 50 mountedcentrally within mounting plate 48 and in axial alignment withlongitudinal axis 46.

Stationary die section 42 of molding apparatus 40 includes a firstmovable die member 52 which is generally annular in shape and isdisposed concentrically about and in slideable relation with respect toinjection nozzle 50. Movable die member 52 engages on one of its sidesmounting plate 48. The other side of movable die member 52 is shaped toform a portion of a mold 54 which is in the shape of cover 10. Moreparticularly, movable die member 52 has a molding surface shaped to forma portion of the mold 54 corresponding to a major portion of the bottomsurface of the depressed portion 28 of cover 10, as well as the innersurface of the U-shaped rim including inner sidewall 14, yoke 36 andouter sidewall 16. The movable die member 52 is adapted to cooperatewith injection nozzle 50 to form the molding surface for mold 54corresponding to the bottom surface of depressed portion 28 of cover 10.Movable die member 52 includes an annular section 56 of relatively largediameter and an annular section 58 of relatively small diameter whichforms the aforementioned molding surface for mold 54.

The stationary die section 42 also includes a matrix plate 60 which isgenerally annular in shape and is disposed concentrically about section58 of movable die member 52. Matrix plate 60 has a molding surfaceshaped to form a portion of the mold 54 corresponding generally to theouter surface of the outer sidewall 16 of cover 10. Section 58 ofmovable die member 52 is adapted to move axially within the interior ofmatrix plate 60.

Movable die section 44 also includes a movable die member 62 which has amolding surface shaped to form a portion of the mold 54 correspondinggenerally to the upper surface of depressed portion 28 of cover 10, theinside surface of inner sidewall 14 of cover and the bottom surface ofgripping flap 26 of cover 10. Movable die member 62 is adapted to moveaxially with respect to longitudinal axis 46 in molding apparatus 40.The molding surface of movable die section 52 is disposed generallyopposite from that of section 58 of movable die member 52 and injectionnozzle 50.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that in general the stationarysection 40 has a stationary member shown as matrix plate 60 which formsthe outer surfaces of the sidewalls of the mold. At least one of theplurality of movable die members in apparatus 40 is slidingly engagedwithin member 60. This movable die member, shown as die member 58, formsadjacent molding surfaces with those of matrix plate 60. The remainderof movable die members can form the complimentary surfaces of the restof the mold. From the initial closed position, the closed mold is openedby the axial movement of the movable die members so that the stationarydie member is first disengaged from the article. Then, the slidinglyengaged movable member is disengaged, finally the remainder of movablemembers are disengaged to release the molded article 10. Thus, in effectthematrix plate shown as 60 and the slidingly engaged movable member 58form a cavity section having a movable bottom with stationary sidewallsand together with the elements of the movable core form the closed mold.

As shown, the stationary member or matrix plate 60 slidingly engages themovable die member 52. The movable die member 52 slidingly engages theinjection nozzle 50. Together this combination provides guide means sothat the die members keep their close tolerance during repeated cyclesof machine operation. Further matrix plate 60 provides a bearing surfaceon its forward portion for supporting and for guiding the movable diemember 52. In addition, the radially extending portion of element 56 ondie member 52 forms a stop means to limit the forward axial travel of 52during mold opening. It can be seen that with the matrix plate 60forming the stationary section of the mold to define the outer surfacesof the molded article, in some applications it may be desirable toprovide an injection means by which the hot molten plastic enters themold through the sidewall rather than through the movable die member 52.It is however, preferred in forming covers having a peripheral invertedU-shaped rim, to have the injection nozzle in the geometric center ofthe part as shown in the Figures. Furthermore, because of the supportoffered by the injection nozzle, it is also preferred that the movabledie member be slidingly engaged on the injection nozzle. A furtheradvantage of the combination of stationary die member 60 and slidinglyengaged movable die member 52 is that mold venting means such as groovesmay be formed at the mating surfaces of the intersection of the membersso that gases may be released when hot plastic is injected into theempty mold. Preferably these grooves are formed aligned with the axis ofthe mold in the surfaces of the stationary element such as matrix plate60.

The die member 58 of the movable member 52 can have, as shown in FIG. 4,portions extending into the cavity defined by the matrix plate 60 and inaddition can have portions defining the remainder of the cavity portionof the mold. This is shown in FIG. 4 by those portions of element 58forming the concave surfaces of the inverted U-shaped rim of the article10 while matrix plate 60 forms the outer surfaces of this rim. In thismanner, member 58 acts as a core mold with respect to the matrix plate60 and as a cavity mold with respect to the core elements of movablemember 62.

A movable die member 64 which is generally annular in shape is disposedconcentrically about the central portion of movable die member 62.Movable die member 64 has a molding surface shaped to form a portion ofthe mold 54 corresponding generally to the inner portion of the uppersurface of the yoke 36 as well as upper rim 38 and gripping flap 26 ofcover 10. Movable die member 64 is fixedly connected to a mounting plate66 which is generally annular in shape and disposed concentrically inspaced relationship about the movable die member 62 and is adapted to bemovable axially in the molding apparatus 40. As will be seen from thedrawings, the portion of movable die member 64 in the region of itsmolding surface forms an annular necked-down projection which terminateswith the molding surface.

The movable die section 42 includes a stripping plate 68 which isgenerally annular in shape and disposed concentrically about movable diemember 64 and adjacent on its inner side to matrix plate 60. Strippingplate 68 has a molding surface shaped to form a portion of the mold 54corresponding generally to the upper surface of the outer portion ofyoke 36.

The stationary section 42 of the molding apparatus 40 also includes afirst cam 70 having a camming surface 72 and a second cam 74 having acamming surface 76. In addition, the stationary die section 42 includesa bolt 78 which connects together in fixed relationship mounting plate48 and matrix plate 60. The stationary die section 42 also includes bolt80 which is disposed in slidable relationship within bore 82 formed inmovable die member 64 and mounting plate 66 and in parallel relationshipto longitudinal axis 46. Movable die member 64 is connected togetherwith mounting plate 66 by a screw member 84.

A spring-loaded latch member 86 is fixedly connected at one of its endsto mounting plate 66 and is adapted to engage at its other end pivot 88fixedly connected to section 56 of movable die member 52. Thespring-loaded latch 86 is disposed in generally parallelspacedrelationship to longitudinal axis 46 and is adapted to slide alongcamming surface 72 of cam 70. A second spring-loaded latch 90 is fixedlyconnected at one of its ends to mounting plate 66 and is adapted toengage at its other end a pivot 92 fixedly connected to stripping plate68. The spring-loaded latch 90 is disposed in generally parallel-spacedrelationship to longitudinal axis 46 and is adapted to slide alongcamming surface 76 of cam 74.

A connecting means 94 is operatively disposed between movable die member62 and movable die member 64. The connecting means 94 includes a ring 96fixedly connected to the exterior of movable die member 62 and anannular recess 98 in the interior surface of movable die member 64adjacent the movable die member 62. A spring 100 is mounted between thering 96 and the recess 98 to provide a spring means urging together themovable die member 62 and movable die member 64. The spring 100 is thusmounted in compression between ring 96 and recess 98.

A spacing bolt 102 is mounted on the molding side of movable die member52. The proper alignment of the various movable die members of movabledie section 44 of mold ng apparatus 40 is assisted by guide pin 104which moves in guide bore 106, being in axial alignment withlongitudinal axis 46.

The molding apparatus 40 of the present invention operates in thefollowing manner to produce molded plastic cover 10. Prior to commencingthe injection of plastic into the mold 54 through injection nozzle 50,the molding apparatus 40 is placed in its closed position as isillustrated in FIG. 4. Spacing bolt 102 provides the desired amount ofspacing between the molding surfaces of section 58 of movable die member52 and the opposing surface of movable die member 62. A suitable plasticin molten form is then introduced through injection nozzle 50 into theinterior of mold 54, filling the mold completely with the plastic. Anyplastic capable of being molded by injection molding may be utilized inthe present invention including polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. Afterthe plastic has been injected into mold 54, it is permitted to hardeninto a solid state. Preferably the molding apparatus 40 will include acooling means (not shown) to accelerate the cooling cycle in order toreduce the time of the molding cycle.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the molding apparatus is moved from its closedposition shown in FIG. 4 to a first partially opened position shown inFIG. 5 during the first phase of the opening operation of moldingapparatus 40. The molding apparatus 40 is moved axially to the right inthe figures by any conventional moving means (not shown) such as, forexample, a servomotor. During the first phase of the opening of moldingapparatus 40, the movable die section 44 moves a predetermined distanceindicated as X in FIGS. 4 and 5, as will be seen by comparing FIGS. 4and 5. The first movable die member 52 is moved a distance X as mountingplate 66 is moved to the right by means of the spring-loaded latch 86connected thereto, which engages pivot 88 of movable die member 52, andmoves axially to the right in the figures bearing against cammingsurface 72 of cam 70. As a result of this axial movement of firstmovable die member 52, and particularly section 58 thereof, the movabledie section 44 moves the molded cover out of engagement with matrixplate 60 such that the outer surface of molded plastic cover 10 isdisengaged from the molding apparatus 40. Additionally, a portion of thebottom surface of molded plastic cover 10 is disengaged from the moldingsurface of injection nozzle 50 of the molding apparatus 40. Also, atthis point, spring-loaded latch 86 disengages pivot 88 of section 56 offirst movable die member 52.

Now referring to FIG. 6, the molding apparatus 40 of the presentinvention is shown in a second partially opened position as it movesthrough a second opening phase representing the difference between theposition of the molding apparatus 40 shown in FIG. 5, as compared withthat shown in FIG. 6. In this phase of the opening of molding apparatus40, the spring-loaded latch 90 connected to mounting plate 66, whichengages pivot 92 of stripping plate 68 and moves axially to the right inthe figures bearing against camming surface 76 of cam 74, moves themovable die section 44 an additional predetermined distance axially tothe right in the figures. Movable die member 52 is prevented from movingto the right on account of its engagement with matrix plate 60, which isfixedly connected by bolt 78 to stationary die section 42. The elementsof movable die section 44 are moved to the right axially on account ofthe engagement of spring-loaded latch to pivot 92 connected to strippingplate 68 of molding apparatus 40. As a result of this axial movement ofmolding apparatus 40 during this second phase of the opening operation,the molded plastic cover 10 is completely disengaged from the movabledie member 52 and in particular, section 58 thereof, as can be clearlyseen in FIG. 6. At this point, spring-loaded latch 90 becomes disengagedfrom pivot 92 of stripping plate 68.

Now referring to FIG. 7, the molding apparatus 40 is shown in a thirdpartially opened position as a result of moving through a third openingphase as represented by the differences shown between FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.In moving through this third opening phase, the moving means opening themolding apparatus 40 moves mounting plate 66, which is connected tomovable die member 64, to the right in the figures a predetermineddistance and axially with respect to the longitudinal axis 46. Themovement of molding apparatus 40 during this third opening phaseseparates or disengages movable die member 64 from movable die member62. This results from the fact that the stripping plate 68 is preventedfrom further axial movement to the right in the figures by bolt 80.Then, as a result of this action, the stripping plate 68 which is incontact with molded cover 10 restrains during the phase of the openingoperation additional axial movement to the right of movable die member62. During this third opening phase, as can be observed by comparingFIGS. 6 and 7, the spring means 94 is further compressed between ring 96and annular recess 98. Thus, during this third phase of the openingoperation of molding apparatus 40, the movable die member 64 isdisengaged from the molded cover 40, as can be clearly seen by referenceto FIG. 7.

Now referring to FIG. 8, the molding apparatus 40 is shown in its fullyopen position as a result of moving through a fourth opening phase asrepresented by the change of position of the molding apparatus 40between FIGS. 7 and 8. During this fourth opening phase, as the movingmeans moves mounting plate 66 and movable die member 64 connectedthereto, the movable die member 62 is moved axially to the right in thefigures due to the fact that the inner surface of movable die member 64bears against ring 96 of movable die member 62. Therefore, as a resultof the movement of movable die member 62 axially to the right in thefigures, the molded plastic cover 10 is stripped from the moldingsurface of movable die member 62 by the restraining action on moldedplastic cover 10 of the interior surface of stripping plate 68. Thefully disengaged plastic cover 10 can be clearly seen by reference toFIG. 8.

After a particular molded plastic cover 10 has been produced in moldingapparatus 40 as shown by reference sequentially to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7 and8, and the plastic cover 10 is removed completely from the mold 54, themolding apparatus is then ready for molding another molded plastic cover10. The molding apparatus 40 is then moved from its open position shownin FIG. 8 to its closed position shown in FIG. 4 by movement thereof inan axial direction to the left in the figures. In the closing of themolding apparatus 40, the various movable die members are moved to thepositions shown in FIG. 4 through a sequence of steps as can be readilyunderstood in comparing these members as they move sequentially fromtheir position shown in FIG. 8 to FIG. 7 in a first closing phase, thento the position shown in FIG. 6 as a result of a second closing phase,then to position shown in FIG. as a result of a third closing phase andthen finally to the position shown in FIG. 4 as a result of a fourthclosing phase of the molding apparatus 40. At this point, then, themolding apparatus 40 is ready for additional molten plastic to beinjected into the mold 64 through injection nozzle 50 and to commenceagain the molding cycle.

The opening movement of molding apparatus 40 is an uninterrupted,smooth, continuous movement (toward the right) whereby the individualdie elements sequentially terminate their movement due to simple controldevices, but without any interruption of the continuous opening movementof the remaining die elements. In this way, the plastic cover 10 becomesstepby-step freed from the die elements. These steps do in no way causean an interruption of the opening movement.

In no instance is there any opening movement in a radial direction. Thisuninterrupted, smooth, continuous opening movement of the die elementsis possible due to the special design of the plastic cover and to thespecial design of the die elements.

Since various elements of the die molds are interconnected to each otherfor movement, only one connection to an outside force is necessary.Further, the termination of the axial movement is controlled by the dieelements themselves via simple interconnecting control members.

Therefore, there is no need for an external control mechanism andassociated control elements, especially not for radial linear orcircular opening movements. Thus, the opening, as well as the closingmovement, is done in a faster and simpler manner.

Thus, it will be seen that the die mold assembly consists of astationary part and a moving part, the latter consisting of severalaxially movable die elements and secondly, that with the first movement(phase) an outer surface becomes removed out of the die establishing afirst clearance in a radial direction. After this initial phase anymovement for achieving a further clearance in radial direction is madeby the plastic cover itself. This is due to the fact that during thefirst phase no parts projecting radially inward or outward must befreed, which is a key feature of the present design.

While the foregoing describes a specific embodiment of the presentinvention, it will be understood that the present invention is subjectto various modifications within the capabilities of persons skilled inthe art. Thus, the present invention can be practiced with a variety ofdesigns without departing from the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims. For example, while the present invention has been described withrespect to a single cavity mold, it is to be clearly understood that thepresent invention could advantageously be practiced with a multi-cavitymold to thereby increase the capacity of the molding apparatus as wouldreadily be understood by one skilled in the art. Further, for example,the present apparatus and method can be utilized to mold covers whichare rectangular, as well as circular, in radial cross-section.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus including a plurality of die elements for molding aplastic cover for an open mouthed container having a circumferentialextending projection on its outer wall in the region of the top edgethereof, said cover having an inverted U-shaped rim in the form of apair of upstanding circumferential sidewalls, the outer surface of theinner sidewall of said cover having a circumferential outwardlyextending bulged portion and the inner surface of the outer sidewall ofsaid cover having a circumferential recess, said apparatus having aclosed position for molding and an open position for removing the moldedplastic cover, which apparatus including said plurality of die elementscomprises a stationary die section including means for introducingplastic into the mold for the plastic cover and a stationary die memberhaving a molding surface shaped to form a portion of said moldcorresponding to the outer surface of said outer wall of said cover,

a movable die section including a plurality of movable die members, eachof said plurality of movable die members being movable in an axialdirection in said molding apparatus with respect to the longitudinalaxis of said cover, said stationary die section also including a movabledie member slidingly engageable therein in an axial direction andcooperating with said stationary die member to form an adjacent moldingsurface therewith, said molding surfaces formed by said stationary diesection corresponding to surfaces of said cover on the opposite wallthickness to those formed by the movable die members of said movable diesection,

means for moving said movable die members in an axial direction betweensaid open and closed positions of said apparatus, and

means for controlling the sequential disengagement of the individual diemembers from the molded plastic cover whereby said stationary die memberis first disengaged, then said movable die member of said stationary diesection is disengaged from said plastic cover, and then at least one ofthe moveable die members of said moveable die section are disengagedfrom said cover.

2. The apparatus of claim ll wherein said movable die member slidinglyengageable within said stationary die member is slidingly supported onsaid plastic introducing means.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stationary die member includesa portion forming guide means for said slidingly engageable die members.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said slidingly engageable diemembers have at least a portion spaced an axial distance from saidstationary die member whereby the axial movement of said engageable diemembers is thereby defined.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cover has in its outer wall acircumferential line of reduced cross sectional thickness.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stationary die member and saidslidingly engageable die members define molding surfaces at leastcorresponding to the outer surface of the outer wall, the inner surfacesof the U-shaped rim and the surface extending therebetween, of saidcover.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plastic introducing means islocated at about the geometric center of said mold surfaces definingsaid cover.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein mold venting means are provided onsaid stationary die member.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mold for said cover isrectangular in shape.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mold for said cover is circularin shape.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plastic introducing meanscomprises a nozzle.

12. An apparatus including a plurality of die elements for molding aplastic cover for an open mouthed container having a circumferentialextending projection on its outer wall in the region of the top edgethereof, said cover having an inverted U-shaped rim in the form of apair of upstanding circumferential sidewalls and inwardly extendinggripping portion, the outer surface of the inner sidewall of said coverhaving a circumferential outwardly extending bulged portion and theinner surface of the outer sidewall of said cover having acircumferential recess, said apparatus having a closed position formolding and an open position for removing the molded plastic cover,which apparatus including said plurality of die elements comprises astationary die section including means for introducing plastic into themold for the plastic cover and a stationary die member having a moldingsurface shaped to form a portion of said mold corresponding to the outersurface of said outer wall of said cover,

a movable die section including a plurality of movable die members, eachof said plurality of movable die members being movable in an axialdirection in said molding apparatus with respect to the longitudinalaxis of said cover,

said stationary die section including a first movable die member alsoslidingly supported on said plastic introducing means and slidinglyengageable in an axial direction in said stationary die section to forman adjacent molding surface with said stationary die member, saidmolding surfaces formed by said stationary die section corresponding tosurfaces of said cover on the opposite wall thickness to those formed bythe movable die members of said movable die section,

said movable die section including a movable die member, a third movabledie member and a fourth movable die member,

said second movable die member having a molding surface shaped to form aportion of said mold corresponding to the upper surface of said grippingflap and at least a part of the upper portion of the U-shaped rim ofsaid cover,

said third movable die member having a molding surface shaped to form aportion of said mold corresponding to the upper surface of the depressedcentral portion of said cover, the-inner surface of the inner wall ofsaid cover and the bottom surface of said gripping flap,

said fourth movable die member having a molding surface shaped to form aportion of said mold corresponding to the upper surface of the outerportion of the U-shaped rim of said cover,

said third movable die member being slidably engageable in said firstmovable die member and said second movable die member,

said second movable die member being slidably engageable in said fourthmovable die member,

means for moving said plurality of movable die members in an axialdirection between said open and closed positions of said apparatus, and

means for disengaging sequentially said stationary die member, saidfirst movable die member, said second movable die member, said thirdmovable die member and said fourth movable die member from the moldedplastic cover.

1. An apparatus including a plurality of die elements for molding aplastic cover for an open mouthed container having a circumferentialextending projection on its outer wall in the region of the top edgethereof, said cover having an inverted Ushaped rim in the form of a pairof upstanding circumferential sidewalls, the outer surface of the innersidewall of said cover having a circumferential outwardly extendingbulged portion and the inner surface of the outer sidewall of said coverhaving a circumferential recess, said apparatus having a closed positionfor molding and an open position for removing the molded plastic cover,which apparatus including said plurality of die elements comprises astationary die section including means for introducing plastic into themold for the plastic cover and a stationary die member having a moldingsurface shaped to form a portion of said mold corresponding to the outersurface of said outer wall of said cover, a movable die sectionincluding a plurality of movable die members, each of said plurality ofmovable die members being movable in an axial direction in said moldingapparatus with respect to the longitudinal axis of said cover, saidstationary die section also including a movable die member slidinglyengageable therein in an axial direction and cooperating with saidstationary die member to form an adjacent molding surface therewith,said molding surfaces formed by said stationary die sectioncorresponding to surfaces of said cover on the opposite wall thicknessto those formed by the movable die members of said movable die section,means for moving said movable die members in an axial direction betweensaid open and closed positions of said apparatus, and means forcontrolling the sequential disengagement of the individual die membersfrom the molded plastic cover whereby said stationary die member isfirst disengaged, then said movable die member of said stationary diesection is disengaged from said plastic cover, and then at least one ofthe moveable die members of said moveable die section are disengagedfrom said cover.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said movable diemember slidingly engageable within said stationary die member isslidingly supported on said plastic introducing means.
 3. The apparatusof claim 1 wherein said stationary die member includes a portion formingguide means for said slidingly engageable die members.
 4. The apparatusof claim 3 wherein said slidingly engageable die members have at least aportion spaced an axial distance from said stationary die member wherebythe axial movement of said engageable die members is thereby defined. 5.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cover has in its outer wall acircumferential line of reduced cross sectional thickness.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein said stationary die member and saidslidingly engageable die members define molding surfaces at leastcorresponding to the outer surface of the outer wall, the inner surfacesof the U-shaped rim and the surface extending therebetween, of saidcover.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plastic introducingmeans is located at about the geometric center of said mold surfacesdefining said cover.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein mold ventingmeans are provided on said stationary die member.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the mold for said cover is rectangular in shape.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the mold for said cover is circular inshape.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plastic introducingmeans comprises a nozzle.
 12. An apparatus including a plurality of dieelements for molding a plastic cover for an open mouthed containerhaving a circumferential extending projection on its outer wall in theregion of the top edge thereof, said cover having an inverted U-shapedrim in the form of a pair of upstanding circumferential sidewalls andinwardly extending gripping portion, the outer surface of the innersidewall of said cover having a circumferential outwardly extendingbulged portion and the inner surface of the outer sidewall of said coverhaving a circumferential recess, said apparatus having a closed positionfor molding and an open position for removing the molded plastic cover,which apparatus including said plurality of die elements comprises astationary die section including means for introducing plastic into themold for the plastic cover and a stationary die member having a moldingsurface shaped to form a portion of said mold corresponding to the outersurface of said outer wall of said cover, a movable die sectionincluding a plurality of movable die members, each of said plurality ofmovable die members being movable in an axial direction in said moldingapparatus with respect to the longitudinal axis of said cover, saidstationary die section including a first movable die member alsoslidingly supported on said plastic introducing means and slidinglyengageable in an axial direction in said stationary die section to forman adjacent molding surface with said stationary die member, saidmolding surfaces formed by said stationary die section corresponding tosurfaces of said cover on the opposite wall thickness to those formed bythe movable die members of said movable die section, said movable diesection including a movable die member, a third movable die member and afourth movable die member, said second movable die member having amolding surface shaped to form a portion of said mold corresponding tothe upper surface of said gripping flap and at least a part of the upperportion of the U-shaped rim of said cover, said third movable die memberhaving a molding surface shaped to form a portion of said moldcorresponding to the upper surface of the depressed central portion ofsaid cover, the inner surface of the inner wall of said cover and thebottom surface of said gripping flap, said fourth movable die memberhaving a molding surface shaped to form a portion of said moldcorresponding to the upper surface of the outer portion of the U-shapedrim of said cover, said third movable die member being slidablyengageable in said first movable die member and said second movable diemember, said second movable die member being slidably engageable in saidfourth movable die member, means for moving said plurality of movabledie members in an axial direction between said open and closed positionsof said apparatus, and means for disengaging sequentially saidstationary die member, said first movable die member, said secondmovable die member, said third movable die member and said fourthmovable die member from the molded plastic cover.